Faraz Arif Ansari recalls being ‘humraaz’ to late actor Surekha Sikri

Filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari (who uses the pronouns they and them) are devastated by the news of veteran actor Surekha Sikri dying on Friday morning.

The duo had collaborated on Ansari’s web series, Dulha Wanted, which they had written and directed in 2017. During the course of the shoot is when the two got to know each other very well.

“She played the daadi in the show, and she was unlike any daadi, who played mafia songs, talk about polygamy. I never had a daadi in my life, I lost her early in life at the age of 10. I wanted to recreate that moment for myself and also experience it in real life. Surekha ji was my first choice and thankfully she agreed. I had the honour of working with her for a long time, and formed a deep friendship,” they recall.

The filmmaker continues and says that the two shared a common love for ittar. In fact, she liked the one he wore, so much that she said she will take it from him, and that’s how their bonding strengthened.

“It was not a director- actor relationship, she used to call me her ‘humraaz’ (confidante). I brought her ittar from every part of the world I visited after that. Even if they didn’t have it, I would go and get it somehow. I went to see her when she was bed ridden, before Sheer Qorma. I told her, ‘You need to rest and not be stubborn to come and shoot for me’. She said, ‘No, this is your film, I need to be there. Main wheelchair par aaungi’,” say Ansari.

Eventually, even after all the formalities were done, Sikri couldn’t manage to shoot, and the director had to completely change the screenplay as he didn’t want any other actor to replace her.

“I wrote the role with her in mind. I didn’t think anyone else was able to do it. I took the character out,” they assert.

The last time Ansari met the late actor, they recall, her body had given up but her soul was fighting.

“We just held hands and sat, and I gave her those ittar bottles. While I was leaving. she said ‘abke bichhde toh shayad khwabon mein milen’,” Ansari breaks down.